Hawaiian-Owned Maui Businesses

2020 has been a year of uncertainty, as the COVID-19 pandemic affects everyone differently. Thus far, Maui residents have experienced strict island quarantine measures, which stopped the virus’s spread but created financial ruin for many Maui businesses. It’s been a bittersweet dichotomy between protecting our most vulnerable population and still engaging Maui’s tourism-based economy.

Maui residents are faced with a time to reflect on respectful tourism. While unemployment is amongst the highest in the country, who could have dreamt the land and ocean would see this time of rest? Though tourism drives much of Maui’s economy, deliberation has centered on how to move forward with sustainable tourism in the future. Much remains uncertain because what the island had supported before was, by and large, not sustainable.

Today’s descendants of ancient Hawaiians live and breathe respect for their island home. Their example teaches that sharing responsibility for a healthy community, land, and water allows the island to thrive. So, as Maui slowly emerges from its isolation and reopens to travel, how can residents and visitors support this extraordinary island? You can use your dollars to honor the heart of what makes this island unique. By visiting Maui and spending locally you help ensure Hawaiian prosperity for the future!

Support Hawaiian-Owned

Residents and visitors can support Hawaiian-owned Maui businesses and organizations to highlight Hawaiian heritage, uplift Maui, and bolster the local economy. This directory highlights Hawaiian-owned and operated companies, Maui-born entrepreneurs, and people who exclusively promote Hawaiian culture through multi-generational history and community activism. But the list is not complete and can evolve with your help! We welcome new submissions, corrections, and updates. Let’s uplift Maui together by supporting Hawaiian-owned companies with our dollars.

Maui Activities

Aloha Ocean Adventures

• Kalama Park, Kihei
• (808) 374-2828

Surfing and the ocean are intrinsic to Hawaiian culture and way of life. Many visitors to Maui seek surf lessons to experience this peaceful and rewarding sport. There is no shortage of surf schools dotting the Maui coastline. However, this particular company offers their knowledge of Hawaiian history and culture as a part of their surfing experiences. Aloha Ocean Adventures is Hawaiian-owned and operated by owners Keoki and Ikaika. They are accomplished surfers, passionate about sharing their knowledge and expertise with every customer. Join this company to support a local business, learn a new surfing skill, and learn about Hawaiian culture all in one go!

Aloha Missions

There is no shortage of activities available to experience Maui’s natural beauty. But what if you want an authentic cultural experience while exploring the island? That’s where Aloha Missions comes in. Maui-raised owners Tamika and Lesley create customized missions that inspire their guests to love Maui through learning about Hawaiian cultural practices. Learn the art of lei-making while visiting the Maui Native Nursery in search of flowers. Or, visit a taro patch and learn how to plant and harvest taro methods to make the traditional Hawaiian staple, poi. They also uplift the local community through voting campaigns and community outreach. Supporting local is layered, and voting with your dollars will touch many of those layers when exploring and learning about Maui with Aloha Missions.

Maui Restaurants and Bars

Poi by the Pound

• 430 Kele Street, Kahului
• (808) 283-9381

Poi is a wonderfully traditional Hawaiian dish made from fermented taro root baked and pounded into a paste. Poi by the Pound is the spot for authentic Hawaiian food. Owners C.J. Hookano and his daughter started this business by selling poi door-to-door. Eventually, they expanded to catering Maui events and opened a small restaurant in Kahului. So, when you want terrific Hawaiian food for your wedding or special occasion, or simply an authentic, made-from-scratch meal, then Poi by the Pound is the perfect local business to support.

All Kaina Grindz

• Kulamalu Town Center (near Long’s in Pukalani)
• (808) 385-6501
• No website

Three generations come together to share their love of cooking with the Maui community. Located upcountry, in the Kulamalu Town Center, All Kaina Grindz serves many fresh dishes, including Kim Chee Fried Rice, Loco Moco, Kalbi Short Ribs, Pork Belly Congee, and loads more creative recipes and sides. I especially loved a social media post from one of the owners about what they do: “Dreams do come true! The sky is the limit; just do it. I get to do what I love with my family. We work hard, love, cook, and feed until our hearts are content. Mahalo to my family to have my back and make my dream a reality. The grind is real; it’s hard, but also very rewarding. Stay focused, keep your heart open at all times, and over everything, stay blessed.” When you find yourself in upcountry Maui, support locals and fill your belly with All Kaina Grindz.

Maui Goods and Services

K.P. Construction and Excavation

• kpcnx.maui@gmail.com

Straight out of high school, owner Keliʻi Pawai started working for a local construction company and learned the trade. Fifteen years later, still dedicated to the same company, his boss retired and handed over the business to him. He has maintained a successful business focusing on big and small projects throughout Maui, such as rock walls, cesspool conversions, landscaping, and irrigation. Years of experience in the industry make K.P. Construction and Excavation a multi-talented resource for your project needs. Keep your money in the Maui economy and support this Hawaiian-owned business.

Kamalani Window Tinting

• 1980 Main Street, Wailuku
• (808) 727-2585
• kamalanitinting@gmail.com

Daniel Kamalani was born in Oahu but moved to Maui. In 1991, he began his new window tinting business. So, whether it’s time to complete an automotive, residential, or commercial window tinting project, Kamalani Window Tinting has you covered. Support this Hawaiian-owned business with the added benefit of providing U.V. protection for you, your loved ones, and your home!

ʻOpihi Maui

• 44 Pea Place, Kula
• opihimaui@gmail.com

In upcountry Kula, ʻOpihi Maui is a small local sign-making business that spreads Hawaiian culture, values, and language. Their custom-made signs draw inspiration from their ancestors (kūpuna) and the land (ʻaina).

Their unique designs are the perfect addition to any island residence while providing an artful way to bring the aloha spirit into every mainland home.

Lola and Elia Island-Inspired Baby and Toddler Clothing

• Etsy

Jess is the owner of Lola & Elia. She designs handmade children’s (Keiki) clothing inspired by family (ohana), and each item gets pressed at her home studio. The company name comes from her two daughters, while the drive behind her clothing designs perpetuates the Hawaiian language! You can find her clothing on Etsy.

Tops Roofing

• 1762 Lower Main Street, Wailuku
• (808) 244-9116

Tops Roofing provides commercial roofing, residential re-roofing, repair, and new construction services. They have served the Maui community since 1972 and also offer inspections!

The Foam Company Bodyboard Shop

• Queen Ka’ahumanu Center (across from Koho’s)
• (808) 873-7833

This locally-owned bodyboard shop opened in 2003. The Foam Company seeks to propel the sport of bodyboarding by providing enthusiasts with quality boards, fins, and apparel. Visitors, instead of picking up a generic plastic-wrapped Costco bodyboard during your next Maui visit, consider supporting this Hawaiian-owned business. You will have more fun in the waves while choosing to put your money into the local economy. To every resident who loves sponging, you know the Foam Company has you covered.

Hoʻomana Spa Maui

• reservations@hoomanaspamaui.com
• (808) 573-8256

Hoʻomana Spa celebrates a long lineage of traditional Hawaiian healing through their style of Lomi Lomi massage and other unique healing practices. Nestled in Makawao, this tranquil spa’s owners are native Hawaiian Jeana Iwalani Naluai and her husband. The property features four treatment rooms, a bathhouse, native botanical gardens, and two guesthouses to rent for Lomi Lomi massage training. Maui residents are blessed to have this outlet for relaxation and self-care. On an island where hotel spas are plentiful and convenient, visitors should consider escaping to a more private experience while supporting Hawaiian-owned businesses and traditional Hawaiian practices.

Joslynn Ikeda Photography

• (808) 856-5648

Joslynn grew up in Kanaio, Maui. Photography is her art, and she has a unique talent for capturing love, happiness, and complicated emotions in photographs. Her passion for capturing special moments is what makes her images so compelling. Her pricing packages are clear and straightforward, and she offers discounted rates for July and August 2020 during this severe pandemic. Support these local businesses by hiring her for your next event or family photo session.

Maui Grown 808

• Lahaina, Maui
• (808) 633-3247
• lahaina.mauigrown.808@gmail.com

Maui Grown 808 is a certified nursery in Lahaina specializing in tropical plants for direct export throughout the United States. Partners Mario Siatris (master gardener and weaver) and Uʻi Kahue (food and beverage and hospitality expert) opened in 2013 using their cultural practitioners’ skills to promote native plants’ usage. This company uses impressive woven products, such as coconut pāpale hats and vases!

Kolonahe Creations

• Makawao
• (808) 870-7831

This Hawaiian-owned and operated floral company provides stunning decorative pieces for any occasion; weddings, events, flower arrangements, arches, sympathy pieces, specialty leis, authentic lei poʻo (head lei), you name it! They use the Haku (braided) and Wili (twist) methods for making their lei poʻo. So many occasions can benefit from the beautiful floral designs from Kolonahe Creations. They can even ship inter-island. Are you getting married in Maui? Encourage your planner to support the local community with your wedding budget. Residents have a resource for any event that allows them to keep their funds on Maui. I was stunned by the beauty of their creations when checking out their Instagram page. I wish I had found her before my wedding!

Kōkua Diaper

• (808) 573-1236

Kōkua Diaper is the only Native Hawaiian and ʻohana-owned cloth diaper delivery and laundry service. They offer a weekly supply of organic cotton diapers delivered directly to you. According to their website, in one year, 7.7 million disposable diapers end up in Maui landfills. With finite land, we all must take steps to reduce single-use waste. Supporting this business is one of the many ways families can do that. They are a small business currently servicing the areas of Haʻikū, Makawao, Paʻia, Pukalani, Kula, and Central Maui. Contact them directly if you live in South Maui or on the Westside.

Haleakalā Supah Shots

Tina Kekoʻolani owns Haleakala Supah Shots, which features elixirs made from Hawaiian chili peppers. These Haleakala Supah Shots promote wellness and longevity! The shots can be purchased in 3 flavors: passion fruit, Kula strawberry, and pineapple with Thai basil. Tina started with a booth at a Kula community event near her home and sold everything she had in two hours!

From her Insta: “Hawaiian girl bringing good health & vibrance with some nutrition, foodie flair, and wisdom from our ancestors. Hot, healthy, Hawaiian!” Check her out, sip to your health, and support a Hawaiian-owned Maui business!

Akina Tours and Transportation

• 140 Alahele Place, Kihei
• (808) 879-2828

The Akina family started a legacy of transportation services in 1928 when founder Alexander Boniface Akina drove his kids and neighbors’ kids from Kihei to school in Wailuku. Akina Tours has passed through 3 family generations, taking on many successful forms, including taxi services, school bus services, tour operations, and airport shuttles. Indeed, you have likely seen their colorful tour buses zipping around Maui. Whether you require transportation service for school functions or sports events, wedding guest transport, or cultural Maui island tours, Akina Tours and Transportation can get you there.

Hawaiian Culture

Nā Koa Brand

• Queen Kaʻahumanu Center (across from Forever 21)
• (808) 214-5089

I’m so happy to share this brand. They aim to create subtle yet powerful art pieces inspired by Polynesian tattoo styles. Owners Daimus and Shanna Kanaheleheir designed this artwork into apparel and jewelry. They started their business in 2013 and named their brand to signify living life to the fullest, without fear. Nakoa means bravery, and their split-off brand, Hoʻomana, means empowerment, two ingredients that make a whole, meaningful life possible. Almost all of their clothing and accessories are sourced from Hawaiʻi. By supporting this local business, you are keeping the funds on Maui and supporting other local vendors. It’s a win-win!

Kumu Cards

Are you looking to learn more about the Hawaiian language and learn some history along the way?

Do you already speak Hawaiian but want to share it with others?

Kumu Cards is a Hawaiian-owned grassroots education company that keeps Hawaiian words (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi) and ancestral knowledge alive in people’s daily lives. Purchasing flashcards will make you feel good too because a portion of their sales goes to funding Hawaiian language classes.

Native Intelligence

• 1980 Main St #2, Wailuku
• (808) 249-2421

Native Intelligence is your resource for Hawaiian craftsmanship and knowledge. They have the designs you crave for Leis, woodwork, Hula, books, apparel, and art. As self-described: “The goal of Native Intelligence is to champion cultural traditions, craftsmanship, and good designs while perpetuating Hawaiian values. By showcasing local artisans and creatives who strive to protect and evolve the culture, Native Intelligence advocates for culture and community. Native Intelligence strives to be a continually evolving retail space with something for everyone, neither a museum nor a gallery. We hope to extend the educational programs and resources beyond our doors by working with community leaders and neighborhood schools. As our name infers, Native Intelligence encourages the efforts of those who exemplify the best and brightest in Hawaiʻi and Polynesia.”

Maui Art

Secrets Hawaiʻi

Secrets Hawaiʻi is an online marketplace that features: organic goods, crafts, leis, and zero-waste equipment. The owners are seventh-generation descendants from Hawaiʻi. They are committed to making Maui sustainable by practicing the lifestyle of old Hawaiʻi and organic farming techniques. They are a sovereign business created to support Ahupuaʻa (native land divisions) Restoration projects in Ko’olau, Maui. They are also famous for their coconut candy!

You can find excellent information from Secrets Hawaii about local Maui events and issues, protecting Maui’s water rights, and stream flow restoration campaigns. If you want to support Hawaiian culture with your dollars, they make it easy with Apple Pay.

SuiKeala Native Jewelry

• (808) 553-3433
• laulani1@yahoo.com

SuiKeala Jewelry is made from native Hawaiian species of plants, carefully preserved in resin to form unique and beautiful creations. Owner Sui Joao comes from Molokaʻi and spends her time respectfully gathering native gems in her jewelry. The whole process takes about one week. Her goal is to adorn her customers with wearable art pieces that spread appreciation and awareness of native plants unnoticed by many. Each piece of art comes with information about the plant and why it is unique.

Earth Elements Maui

• 1 Honokohau Bay, Honokohau
• (808) 856-1902

Quality, handmade jewelry from Honokohau, Maui? Yes, please! Earth Elements creates elegant ocean-centric pieces with quality and craftsmanship in mind. Custom designs are available, so visit them to inspire your next creation.

Maui Hotels and Accommodations

Ala Kukui

• 4224 Hana Highway, Hana,
• (808) 248-7841

Ala Kukui is a Hawaiian cultural retreat in serene Hāna. Its name, “Path to Enlightenment,” implies that it is much more than a retreat! The Executive Director and Hāna resident is Kauʻi Kanakaʻole, who focuses on this refuge of healing and rejuvenation on various cultural elements. All the staff are longtime residents of Hana and host cultural programs, workshops, and events for the community. As a retreat participant, you will get the rare opportunity to learn cultural traditions from the surrounding community. Retreat offerings include nutritional and culinary education, Hāna farm-to-table catering, wedding coordination, massage therapy, Ayurvedic consultations, and workshops.

Maui Seaside Hotel

• 100 W Kaʻahumanu Avenue, Kahului
• (808) 877-3311

Established by Hawaiian native and WWII veteran Richard Kimi in 1956, the Maui Seaside Hotel is one of the few independently run hotels in Hawai’i. Their family-run approach and commitment to hospitality have kept many guests returning to their Maui and Big Island locations for years. Ditch the resort fees and instead support Hawaiian-owned hotels.

The Mauian Hotel at Napili Bay

• 5441 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Napili
• (808) 669-6205

This 44-unit beachfront hotel has been owned and operated by a Hawaiian family for several years. This beachside location has easy access to Napili Bay and the layout is great for families. The Mauian Hotel has a low-key ambiance, an excellent breakfast, and lush gardens making this hotel the ideal place to kick back and relax.

Hawaiian Culture Non-Profits

Kahanu Garden

• 650 Ulaino Road, Hana
• (808) 248-8912
• Wikipedia article about Kahanu Garden

Kahanu Garden is one of five gardens managed by the non-profit National Tropical Botanical Garden. Established in 1972 near Hāna, Maui, this spot is surrounded by one of Hawaii’s last undisturbed Hala tree forests. It contains the 14th century, 3-acre Piʻilanihale Heiau, the most significant ancient temple in the Hawaiian Islands.

Kahanu Garden’s collection features plants traditionally used by Pacific Islanders, most notably breadfruit. You will also find bamboo, banana, calabash, coconut, kava, Kamani, loʻulu, sugarcane, taro, turmeric, vanilla, and bitter yam. Visitors to Kahanu Garden will learn about the cultural relationships between people and the plants transported around the Pacific on ancient voyage canoes.

Maui Nui Botanical Garden

• 150 Kanaloa Avenue, Kahului (across from War Memorial Stadium)
• (808) 249-2798

Free admission for members, Kamaʻāina, Keiki, and Kupuna, otherwise $10 and FREE on Saturdays!

Maui Nui Botanical Gardens dedicates itself to protecting Maui’s native plants and cultural heritage. They collect, cultivate, and distribute native and Polynesian-introduced plants to teach the relationship these plants have with our economic, social, and cultural livelihoods.

This organization hires local cultural practitioners to teach crafts to visitors while continually creating new partnerships to expand community outreach and conservation efforts. Every dollar contributed goes directly toward the preservation of Native Hawaiian plants and the upkeep of their collection.

Hui o Nā Wai ‘Ehā

• Donate by check: 213 West Waiko Road, Wailuku, HI 96793

In 2003 Hui o Nā Wai ‘Ehā was established to address the negative impacts caused by the dewatering of the Nā Wai’ Ehā streams by sugar plantations and corporate water companies. Their mission revolves around streamflow restoration in the rivers of Waikapū, Wailuku, Waiehu, and Waiheʻe. They will protect the natural and cultural resources of Native Hawaiians while engaging the Maui community through water resource management education and targeted outreach. They are active in local politics and partner with the Maui Tomorrow Foundation, Earth Justice, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. These partnerships help ensure mountain-to-ocean (mauka to makai) streamflow in perpetuity, safeguard groundwater, facilitate safe passage for native aquatic species, restore water rights to kilo farmers, and organize the community to support their initiatives. Click here to support this critical work.

Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed

• Donate by check: P.O. Box 13240, Lahaina, HI 96761

Established in 1998, Mauna Kahālāwai means the House of Water. This Olowalu-based organization diligently manages the native forests of West and South Maui by protecting the West Maui mountains. Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed defends the fragile ecosystem from invasive and feral species by controlling weeds, growing native plants, and monitoring watershed health. This work helps to ensure Maui has a continuous supply of fresh water. You can donate to this organization with your time or money.

Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC)

KIRC manages the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve while being held in trust for a future Native Hawaiian sovereign entity. State funds get allocated to restoration efforts with core programs focused on sustainability, restoration, monitoring, planting native species, eradicating alien species, faunal restoration, archeological protection, maintaining cultural protocols and practices, and outreach. In 1953, United States President Eisenhower transferred ownership of Kahoʻolawe to the Navy for use as a bombing range. Despite decades of powerful protesting, the island’s deed was not returned to the state of Hawaiʻi until 2003!

KIRC strives to make up for the lost time. They are preserving the beauty of this uninhabited Hawaiʻian island and its surrounding waters. If you get to volunteer for this organization, not only do you contribute to environmental restoration, but you also get to experience a part of the Hawaiian Islands that few people get to see in person. Visit them for more information on internship opportunities, volunteering, or donating.

Kipahulu ʻOhana

The Kipahulu ʻOhana is a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1995. Their list of beneficial community programs is endless. Their traditional Hawaiian wetland taro farm, Kapahu Living Farm, is in Haleakala National Park. In partnership with the park services, they host educational programs and tours and provide an abundance of poi (processed in their commercial kitchen) to Maui’s community. Their Malama I Ke Kai program focuses on shoreline management, supervising an ʻopihi “rest area” or no-take zone, and instating a Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area (CBSFA). These programs are only a snapshot of what this prolific organization does for the Maui community through their ancestors’ wisdom.

Hui No Ke Ola Pono

• Wailuku Cameron Center, 95 Mahalani Street, Room 21
• (808) 244-4647 for Wailuku
• Hāna Community Center, 5101 Uakea Road, Room D18
• (808) 442-6860 for Hāna

Hui No Ke Ola Pono is a private, not-for-profit community-based health enhancement, disease prevention, and health care center. They provide programs revolving around nutrition, health management, and healthcare referrals working within a standard of conduct that reflects Hawaiian values. They are one of the five Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems created in 1988 under the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act. Its mission is to improve the health of present and future Native Hawaiian generations through personal empowerment. They integrate medical care with traditional Hawaiian values, beliefs, and practices. Although their mission focuses on the Native Hawaiian community, they will not turn anyone away. While we struggle to adjust to life during a pandemic, access to medical care remains paramount. Visit their website for more information if you need medical assistance. If you donate to this cause,  you can rest assured it’s a worthy investment in the health of Maui’s community.

Farms and Locally Grown Food Distribution

Maui Third Wave

Maui Third Wave is a majority Hawaiian-owned business dedicated to growing food, medicine, and a future for the Hawaiian people. Maui Third Wave operates under the B corporation status, meaning they have pledged to meet the highest social and environmental performance standards. According to their website, imports account for 85 percent of the food consumed in Maui.

The mission of Maui Third Wave is to produce “Better than Organic” fruits and vegetables. They hope those foods are consumed locally. The company seeks a profitable agriculture system for indigenous Hawaiians and longtime residents by combining traditional and modern Hawaiian growing practices. Additionally, as laws start to change regarding cannabis cultivation, MTW is negotiating to lead the Maui-grown CBD oil industry. Support this Hawaiian-owned business!

Hoaloha Farm

Bobby Pahia is one of many Maui farmers working to re-establish Kalo, known as taro, plus many other traditional foods. Referred to as “canoe crops,” the early Polynesians carried them to the Hawaiian islands. Taro is more than just food to Hawaiians because it’s part of their cultural identity. However, canoe crops have been on the decline due to mono-crop agriculture. As a result, dietary staples are vanishing from the daily diets of many islanders. To put mono-crops into perspective, imagine rice disappearing from the Asian culinary diet!

You have probably eaten from Hoalahoa farms without even knowing it. Bobby’s farm supplies ingredients to famous Maui restaurants such as Old Lahaina Lūʻau, Star Noodle, and Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop. He is also the Mauna Kahalawai chapter president of the Hawaiʻi Farmer’s Union United.

Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United (HFUU)

Thus far, I have only highlighted a fraction of the Hawaiian-owned Maui farms. Enter the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United. Established in 2010, the HFUU is an invaluable resource for local food production and farming. This grassroots organization is a consistent voice for farmers, ranchers, and fishers.

HFUU says: “We assert that smallholder diversified family farms that implement regenerative techniques in growing and raising our food will create a resilient, vital, and productive agricultural system to feed Hawaiʻi’s people better.” As COVID-19 has devastated the restaurant industry nationwide, farmers have had to pivot from restaurant supply to direct consumers. HFUU has been working with local farmers and stores to maintain that connection. They have launched a 12 to 24-month plan to support farming communities by increasing and stabilizing domestic food production throughout the state. Community-supported agricultural (CSA) boxes of fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs are available at distribution spots. They also make deliveries throughout Maui.